BENGALURU, 15 MAY 

As many as twelve individuals were arrested in connection with a cybercrime ring that defrauded people by advertising fake work-from-home opportunities, City police revealed on Thursday. 

According to the police, the gang, originating from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, is accused of cheating victims, including a homemaker who reported losing Rs 500,000 after being promised a job. The woman was reportedly convinced to transfer money to "fix her low credit score" in order to receive payment for the alleged work.

An investigation was launched after the victim reported the crime to the Adugodi police station earlier this year. Police traced the money transfers back to 27-year-old Sonu from Navi Mumbai and 25-year-old Harshavardhan Ojha from Uttar Pradesh, who were identified as the key suspects.

During interrogation, Sonu admitted to opening multiple bank accounts through labour contract workers and sending the necessary banking materials to associates in Uttar Pradesh, for which he earned a commission of Rs 1,500 per account. 

Subsequent searches led to the arrest of ten additional associates. Authorities recovered substantial evidence, including 400 SIM cards, 140 ATM cards, 27 mobile phones, and Rs 15,000 in cash, exposing the scale of the operation.  Police continue their inquiry into the ring’s activities.